COMMENTARY
It would be fair to say that Newcastle United were some way off their best against Arsenal on Monday evening and there were a couple of players who will have left the Toon Army tearing their hair out. However, despite a distinct lack of cutting edge in the final third, it was a defender who bore much of the visiting fans’ brunt, namely club captain and centre back Jamaal Lascelles. The 25-year-old was back in the starting XI after spending some time on the sidelines through injury but he did not do a lot to impress the St James’ Park faithful at the Emirates Stadium. The overall judgement from the supporters on Twitter was that he was to blame for the Gunners’ second goal, and even perhaps their first, and it would be difficult to argue against them. It really was a disappointing performance from a man who has been one of Newcastle’s best performers in recent years and such displays could well see him plummet down the pecking order, with a number of talented centre backs all vying for a place in Rafael Benitez’s starting line up.
Nothing but Newcastle has gathered a selection of the supporters’ tweets:
Feel he’s too fat too slow this season. No voice on the pitch as well. Captain have to lead by example, but he didn’t.
— Ginkoh_NUFC (@Ginkohro) April 1, 2019
The 2nd he was definitely to blame. He should’ve made sure the ball was hoofed away anywhere
— Noel (@dartknight501) April 1, 2019
Lascelles ain’t going to a big club. Fact is he hasn’t kicked on and looks stiff these days.
— AP (@amannufc) April 1, 2019
Lascelles is made of wood. #nufc
— Robert Hall (@RobHall1) April 1, 2019
https://twitter.com/TalCampbell96/status/1112822297365286913
Lascelles needs dropping if all others are fit for Saturday
— Waaatson (@paul_taylor1) April 1, 2019
Lascelles performance tonight 🤢 💩!! Missing Longstaff😢😶⚫️⚪️
— Enos Huly (@EHuly) April 1, 2019
Lascelles caught in no mans land ! Positioning is poor and his passing is inconsistent
— Tony C (@Tonyc1234) April 1, 2019
